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[hackthis_archive]

I am considering procuring a 20GB iPod in the immediate future, however, as someone who doesn't have a particular fast connection at home, and doesn't have an Apple interface at all, I am rather skittish about the entire business, and so I turn to you lot. Tell me everything you think I should know.*

[Poll #589083]

*I have also been told that once you set up one computer as your base, you can't use other computers to upload your music without losing all the contents of your iPod. I have also been told there is a way around this. Educate me kids, because my base will not be a consistent thing, like, ever.

ETA: Thank you, all of you, for your assistance!

Comments

[astrael-nyx.livejournal.com]

People have advised the flash player route and I cannot emphasize that more. Flash players are so much more sensible and durable than hard-disk based players like the current iPod (excluding Nano and Shuffle) in the long run, even if the capacities in which they come are hardly as large as HD-based players.

I used to love my iPod a lot. It was my best buddy, I took it everywhere, and I was in love. Then things started happening, it would suddenly go on the fritz, and it just wasn't the same anymore. It wasn't the same iPod I fell in love with; it started to hurt me a lot and I've gone through a lot of heartache because of it.

I've had a lot of problems with the iPod for various reasons and I suppose I'm also partially to blame in that I don't treat it as Apple says one should treat it, like I constantly skipped songs (fast-forward drains the iPod's battery with amazing speed), jumped to other songs in the midst of playing other songs, etc. (but doesn't everyone skip songs?) The first time I ever drained the battery to about 20% (6-8 hours of on-off use), after I recharged, the battery life was never the same, coughing up a measely 2-4 hours. Remember, the battery is not easily replaceable, you have to send it back to Apple ($90 plus shipping, tax) for them to replace it (if you're not covered by the Apple Care Protection Plan for iPod).

I've gone through several folder exclamation errors, which are basically unfixable BSoDs and many crashes and freezes with my iPod while it's playing or connected to my computer.

The iPod's hard disk is set up in a random fashion where your music is organized on the disk (not the menu) in a random directories, so when you say, want to listen to Damien Rice's O, it puts more stress on the hard disk, even if the menu lists all of the songs there. Even if you do put the iPod on shuffle and occasionally go back to the songs list and select a new song, it'll still put more stress on it. Partially the reason why iPod has gone through so many freezes and crashes is because I selected a new song or pressed FF.

If you're a Windows user (I presume so?), ensure that you have SP2 installed. I managed to spectacularly screw up my iPod once because I didn't read the minimum system requirements on the iPod Updater.

A big red flag: The one-year limited warranty means that if your iPod malfunctions, then only in the first six months will they repair or replace it for you for free. Frankly, I don't see why they call it a one-year warranty at all because you're not covered in the second half year for anything at all. If you go to an Apple Store after the six month period, they will tell you your only recourse is to purchase the Apple Care Protection Plan for the iPod. I paid $100 CAD (tax included) for that.

A few minor details: you will need to intermittently check the Apple website for iPod Updaters to update your iPod's firmware. It's not really that much of a hassle, but to keep your iPod in the best condition, you should do the Updaters when they get released.

If you care about aesthetics, the iPod is indeed a beautiful gadget, but it is very easily scratched. Buy a skin to protect it as well as screen protector to keep the screen from getting scratched.

The headphones that come with the iPod are not exactly the most powerful; I'll say it outright: they're crap. The bass is incredibly weak, the volume's all right, but I would advise using other headphones with your iPod.

Playlists really save your battery if you're the type, like me, to skip songs when the fancy strikes you, but they also put some stress on the iPod hard disk, though not as much as skipping songs.